Introduction to Operations Management

Introduction to Operations Management

Introduction to Operations Management

University of Pennsylvania

About this course: Learn to analyze and improve business processes in services or in manufacturing by learning how to increase productivity and deliver higher quality standards. Key concepts include process analysis, bottlenecks, flows rates, and inventory levels, and more. After successfully completing this course, you can apply these skills to a real-world business challenge as part of the Wharton Business Foundations Specialization.

This short module was designed to introduce you to the course, and to give you an overview of what you can expect from the course and the instructor!

3 videos, 1 reading

Video: Course Logistics

Video: Four Dimensions of Operational Performance

Video: Trade-offs and the Efficient Frontier

Reading: Module 1 - Introduction: Lecture Slides (PDF)

WEEK 2

Process Analysis

In this module, you'll learn how to identify key elements of process analysis: flow rates, and flow times, how to uncover bottlenecks, how to optimize labor and inventory, and how to handle the complexities of multiple flow units. At the end of this module, you'll be able to break down operations into processes which can then be improved to maximize profits and efficiency.

You'll learn the key components of productivity in this module. Beginning with the academic definitions of productivity, you'll move on to the common blockers, measurements, indicators of effectiveness, improvement techniques and financial values. By the end of this module, you'll be able to identify, describe and measure the relationship between inputs and outputs and also be able to develop strategies for decreasing inputs while increasing outputs, thereby boosting productivity wherever you see the need to.

Quality is not only a cornerstone of operations management, but also a critical component of an organization's long-term viability and success. This module covers all the major aspects of quality in operations, from examining the common reasons for defects to the most widely used implementation techniques for addressing problems of quality and ensuring reliability and standards. At the end of this module, you'll be able to anticipate where defects may occur and recommend a sound strategy for maintaining quality and stability.

10 videos, 2 readings

Video: Reasons for Defects

Video: Quality and Flow

Video: Six Sigma

Video: Control Charts

Video: Jidoka

Video: Problem Solving

Video: Toyota Production System

Video: Module 4 Review

Reading: Module 4 - Quality: Lecture Slides (PDF) and Excel Files

Video: Module 4 Practice Problem: Assembly Tolerances (video)

Video: Module 4 Practice Problem: Security Check (video)

Reading: Module 4 Practice Problems (PDF) and Solutions

Graded: Homework Assignment: Module 4 - Quality

Graded: Final Exam - Module 4

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University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania (commonly referred to as Penn) is a private university, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. A member of the Ivy League, Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, and considers itself to be the first university in the United States with both undergraduate and graduate studies.